FR2779561A1 - ARRANGEMENT FOR LONGITUDINAL LOCKING OF A RIGID DATA CARRIER IN A DATA EXCHANGE DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an arrangement (10) comprising a data carrier (12) and a data exchange device (14) of the type comprising a housing (24, 26) into which the carrier (12) is inserted longitudinally, and of the type in which the device (14) comprises means for longitudinally retaining the data medium (12) in the active position in the housing (24), characterized in that the data medium (12) comprises a window (44), and in that the housing (24) has a lever (58) for locking the support (12) which is pivotally mounted between a locking position to which the locking lever (58) is resiliently biased (64) and in which a locking finger (50) formed at the free end (56) of an arm of the locking lever extends vertically inside the window (44), and a retracted position in which the locking finger ( 50) is located outside the window (44) to allow the extraction of the data medium (12) from the housing. ion on board a motor vehicle, the anti-theft functions of which are partially or totally provided by data processing, some of which are representative of an authorized user of the vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement for data exchange

  between a rigid, or semi-rigid data carrier, and a data exchange device, in particular

  for reading data contained in the medium.

  The invention relates more particularly to such an arrangement intended to equip a motor vehicle and in which the data medium, which is for example in the form of a generally rectangular card or badge, carries data identifying the user of the vehicle who io authorize him when he inserts his badge in the reading device, to use the vehicle by allowing him in particular to

  start the vehicle engine.

  Numerous examples are known of such arrangements in which the data carrier is a rigid or semi-rigid i5 card comprising for example an integrated circuit, or chip, which is connected to means for reading the device by electrical contacts and / or by a data exchange antenna. When the badge or card is inserted into the device, it is manually inserted into a housing of the housing in which the data carrier occupies a determined active position, and the device which receives the card or badge includes means for longitudinally retaining this data carrier in the active position in the housing so that the data exchange is

insured in good conditions.

  According to the most widespread design, these retaining means are constituted by simple brakes, that is to say that they are elastically deformable legs which cooperate by friction with lateral edges and / or with the large

sides of the card.

  Such a design of the means of retaining the data carrier in the reading device is not entirely

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  satisfactory in the case of an application to a motor vehicle in which the device is subjected, during driving, to numerous vibrations which progressively cause the ejection of the data medium, or at least its displacement relative to its active position called reading. In addition, in the case of an application to a motor vehicle, it is necessary to be able not only to retain the data medium in the active position, but also to lock it by locking it in this position, in response to a command order. locking, so that in certain vehicle use configurations, the driver or a passenger may unexpectedly extract the

  data carrier of the reading device.

  To this end, the invention proposes an arrangement for the exchange of data between a rigid or semi-rigid data medium and a device for exchanging data, in particular for reading data contained in the medium, of the type comprising a housing in which the support in the general form of a card is manually inserted into a housing of the housing in which it occupies a determined active position, and of the type in which the device comprises means for longitudinally retaining the data medium in the active position in the housing, characterized in that the data carrier has a window, and in that the housing comprises a locking lever of the support which is pivotally mounted, about an axis, between a locking position towards which the locking lever is resiliently recalled and in which a locking finger formed at the free end of an arm of the locking lever extends vertically inside the window, and u no retracted position in which the locking finger is located outside the window to allow extraction

  data carrier out of the enclosure.

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  According to other characteristics of the invention - the pivot axis of the lever is parallel to the plane in which the longitudinal direction of insertion of the data carrier is located in the housing. The pivot axis of the locking lever is perpendicular circular to the longitudinal direction of insertion of the data carrier; - when the data carrier is inserted into the housing, the retraction of the locking lever is controlled by the cooperation of a front transverse edge of the data carrier with a rear cam profile of the locking finger forming a ramp, and is controlled, during the extraction of the data carrier, by the cooperation of a front transverse edge of the window with a front cam profile of the locking finger forming a ramp; - The locking finger has, in section through a longitudinal plane, a V-shaped profile, the two branches of which constitute the rear and front cam profiles forming ramps; the length of the window, delimited by the front and rear transverse edges, corresponds substantially to the length of the part of the locking finger which is received in the window when the locking lever is in its angular position for blocking the data medium ; - The front and rear transverse edges of the window are inclined so as to present, in longitudinal section, a V-shaped profile complementary to that of the locking finger; - The housing includes a controlled member for locking the blocking lever in its angular position for blocking the data carrier; - the controlled locking member is an electromagnet whose movable core constitutes a locking finger which can be controlled projecting outside the

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  housing of the electromagnet to extend opposite a part of the locking lever in order to prevent the rotation of the latter from its active locking position towards its retracted position; - the axis of displacement of the mobile core of the electromagnet is parallel to the pivot axis of the locking lever, and in the locking position of the locking lever, the mobile core extends opposite a part of the arm which carries the locking finger - the housing has a longitudinal slot for guiding the data carrier which is delimited by an upper guide plate above which the locking lever is arranged and which has a hole for the passage of the locking finger blocking; - the arrangement fitted to a motor vehicle, the anti-theft functions of which are partially or completely ensured by data processing, some of which, contained in the data carrier, are representative of a user

  authorized, or a group of authorized users, of the vehicle.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the detailed description which follows

  for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view with partial cutaway which mainly illustrates the internal structural element of the housing in an arrangement in accordance with the teachings of the invention in association with a data carrier badge which is illustrated in an intermediate position during insertion into the housing; - Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in which the badge forming the data carrier is illustrated introduced into the housing in the active position in which it is blocked and locked;

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  - Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the arrangement according to the invention in which the badge is illustrated during introduction; Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 s illustrating a next step of the phase of introduction of the badge in the reading device; and - Figure 5 is a view similar to those of Figures 3 and 4 in which, as in Figure 2, the badge is illustrated in

  active position in which it is blocked and locked.

  In the following description, the terms "vertical",

  "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", etc. are used with reference to the figures to facilitate the

  understanding of description and claims and this

without limitation.

  As can be seen in the figures, the arrangement 10 produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention consists essentially of a data medium or badge

12 and by a housing 14.

  The badge 12 is here a rigid element of generally rectangular shape and of reduced thickness which comprises, in the vicinity of its rear transverse edge 16, a gripping part 18. The badge 12 is a data carrier which can be introduced longitudinally, that is to say in the direction I parallel to the general plane of its large upper 20 and lower 22 faces, in the housing 14, and which is capable of being extracted from this housing according to the same

  direction but in the opposite direction.

  The housing 14, as can be seen more particularly in FIGS. 3 to 5, essentially consists of a central part 24 which constitutes the frame which carries the various components of the housing and which is

  surrounded by a covering part 26.

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  The central part 24 essentially consists of two upper parallel 28 and lower 30 plates which vertically define between them a housing 32 of generally rectangular parallelepiped shape complementary to that of the front part of the badge 12, and which is delimited longitudinally towards the front, that is to say to the right by considering the figures, by a transverse abutment face 34 which determines the maximum position for introducing the badge 12 into the housing 14 when the front transverse edge 17 of the

  io badge 12 abuts against this transverse face 34.

  The lower plate 30 carries, under its lower face, a printed circuit plate 36 which carries the various components of electronic circuits (not shown) belonging to control and data exchange means with those contained in the badge 12 when that -this is in its maximum position introduced, also called

  active position or data exchange.

  In order to allow the badge 12 to be inserted into and removed from the housing, the covering part 26 has a slot 38. To guide the badge 12 slidingly inside the housing 14, the bottom plate 30 has, as we can see in Figures 1 and 2, side rails 40 which cooperate with the opposite longitudinal edges 42 of the badge 12. As can be seen in the figures, the badge 12 has in its front part a window 44 which s extends vertically into the badge and runs right through it here. More particularly, in longitudinal section and as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, the window 44 has a V-shaped profile and it is thus delimited

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  by a front transverse edge 46 and by a transverse edge

rear 48.

  The window 44 is a blocking window within the meaning of the invention, that is to say that it is intended to receive a blocking member belonging to the housing 14 and which will

  now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

  The badge blocking member 12 in the active position is a blocking finger 50 which, in longitudinal section and as can be seen in the figures, has a V-shaped profile delimited by two front inclined faces 52 and rear 54 which are inclined relative to each other at substantially the same angle as that formed by the edges 46 and 48 of the

window 44.

  The locking finger 50 is formed at the free end i5 before 56 of an arm 57 of a locking lever 58 whose rear end 60 is a cylindrical section which is crossed by an axis 62 of pivoting articulation of the lever 58 so that the latter is pivotally mounted in both directions around a pivot axis 62 which is perpendicular to the direction of introduction I and parallel to the plane containing the latter, that is to say parallel in general terms of the badge 12 when it is introduced into the

housing 32.

  The locking lever 58 is permanently resiliently returned to its locking position, that is to say that it is permanently biased clockwise by considering Figures 3 to 5, by a return spring 64 which is here a wire spring wound helically around the rear section 60 of the

lever 58.

  The locking finger 50 extends opposite a hole 66 formed opposite in the upper plate 28 of the part 24 so as to be able to extend vertically downwards.

  through this hole and inside the housing 52.

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  In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the arrangement also includes means for locking the

  locking lever 58 in the locked position.

  In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the locking means are illustrated schematically in the form of an electromagnet 70 whose movable core (not shown) is capable of controlling a locking rod or locking finger 72 which is normally partially retracted inside the body of the 1o solenoid 70 (see Figure 1) and which, in the locked position, projects transversely outward, that is to say in a direction parallel to the axis 62 of the locking lever 58, to extend above an upper face 74 of the end

free 56 of the locking lever 58.

  The operation of the arrangement according to the invention will now be described, in particular with reference to

Figures 3 to 5.

  When there is no badge 12 in the housing 14, the locking lever 58, under the action of the spring 64, is in its position illustrated in FIG. 3 in which a portion of its lower tab 76 is in pressing on the upper face of the upper plate 28 and in which the locking finger 50 extends through the hole 66 partially inside the

housing 32.

  When a badge 12 is introduced in direction I into the housing 32, the front transverse edge 17 is introduced longitudinally from left to right considering the

figure 3.

  The introduction movement from back to front continues from FIG. 3 until the front transverse edge 17 comes to cooperate with the inclined rear face 54 forming a ramp of the locking finger 50 to cause the pivoting of the lever. blocking 58, in the direction

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  anti-clockwise, and therefore the erasure of the locking finger 50 during the introduction of the badge 12 so that it temporarily occupies its position illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the locking finger 50 is supported on the screw portion of the upper face 20 of the badge 12. The movement of inserting the badge 12 into the housing 52 continues from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 until, as illustrated in FIG. 5, its edge transverse before 17 comes into abutment against the face

io transverse 34 of the housing 32.

  In this position, and by the design and sizing of the housing 14 and the badge 12, the window 44

  is opposite the hole 66 and the locking finger 50.

  Consequently, under the action of the spring 64, the locking lever 58 pivots clockwise and the lower part of the locking finger 50 is received vertically in

blocking window 44.

  In the blocking position illustrated in FIG. 5, the blocking finger 50 therefore retains the badge 12 longitudinally in both directions inside the housing 14, that is to say that the latter is not likely to come out accidentally of the housing 32 under the action of vibrations, the blocking action resulting from the force applied to the blocking lever 58 by the spring 64 being sufficient to counter the consequences

harmful vibrations.

  To immobilize the locking lever 58 in its locking position illustrated in FIG. 5, it suffices to cause the control of the electromagnet 70 so that its locking finger 72 projects axially out of the housing 70 to extend, as is can see it in particular in Figure 2, at

above the locking lever 58.

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  In this blocking and locking position, the lever 58 can no longer pivot counterclockwise and the

  finger 50 can therefore no longer leave window 44.

  During the introduction, the action of the spring 64 and the locking finger 50 provides a tactile effect which allows the user to detect a first hard point corresponding to the coming into contact of the front transverse edge 17 with the locking finger. , then a slight noise followed by an equally noticeable shock

  when the finger 50 falls into the window 44.

  In order to extract the badge 12 from the edge of the housing 14, and after having retracted the locking finger 72, the user need only pull the badge 12 longitudinally

backward.

  Indeed, due to the force applied to the badge 12 by the user, the front transverse edge 46 of the window 44 cooperates with the inclined front face 52 of the locking finger 50

  forming a ramp to cause pivoting in the anti-direction

  schedule of the locking lever 58 and therefore allow retraction of the locking finger 50 against the return force applied to the lever 58 by the spring 64 thus firstly arriving at the position illustrated in FIG. 4, then at the position illustrated in FIG. 3, the extraction movement being able to be continued freely until the complete extraction of the

badge 12 outside the housing 14.

  The electromagnet 70 with its locking finger 72 can, if necessary, provide a prohibition function

  introduction of a badge 12 into the housing 14.

  Indeed, considering FIG. 3, if the electromagnet 70 is controlled to release its locking finger 72 before the introduction of the badge 12, it then makes any pivoting of the locking lever 58 and the retraction of the finger blocking 50 during the introduction of the badge 12 is impossible, the blocking finger 50 then constituting a stop

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  1! fixed preventing complete insertion of the badge 12 into the housing 14, this incomplete introduction being detected

visually by the user.

  The invention is particularly applicable on board a motor vehicle, the anti-theft functions of which are partially or totally ensured by processing data, some of which, contained in the support or badge 12, are representative of an authorized user, or a

  group of authorized users of the vehicle.

  o0 Data processing aims in particular to compare the data contained in the badge 12 with data stored on board the vehicle in order to allow the authorized use of the vehicle, the processing circuit or circuits ensuring total or partial control of means

  forming an anti-theft device, whether it is a conventional anti-theft device,

  say acting on the vehicle's steering column, and / or means preventing the vehicle engine from starting and / or

  interrupting engine operation.

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Claims (11)

  1. Arrangement (10) for the exchange of data between a rigid (12) or semi-rigid data carrier and a device (14) for exchanging data, in particular for reading data contained in the carrier, type comprising a housing (24, 26) in which the support (12) in the general form of a card is manually inserted into a housing (32) of the housing (24) in which it occupies a determined active position, and of the type in which the device (14) comprises means for longitudinally retaining the data carrier (12) in the active position in the housing (24), characterized in that the data carrier (12) has a window (44), and in that the housing (24) comprises a lever (58) blocking the support (12) which is pivotally mounted, about an axis (62), between a blocking position towards which the blocking lever (58) is resiliently biased ( 64) and in which a locking finger (50) formed at the free end (56) of an arm of the lev ier of blocking extends vertically inside the window (44), and a retracted position in which the blocking finger (50) is located outside the window (44) to allow   extracting the data carrier (12) from the housing.   2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis (62) of pivoting of the locking lever (58) is parallel to the plane in which the longitudinal direction (I) of introduction of the data carrier is located in the housing.   3. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that the pivot axis (62) of the locking lever (58) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (I)   introduction of the data carrier (12).   4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that, during the introduction of the data carrier (12) in B342.DOC   the housing (24), the retraction of the locking lever (58) is controlled by the cooperation of a front transverse edge (17) of the data carrier (12) with a rear cam profile (54) of the locking finger (50) forming a ramp and is controlled, during the extraction of the data carrier, by the cooperation of a front transverse edge (46) of the window with a profile   front cam (52) of the locking finger (50) forming a ramp.   5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking finger (50) has, in section through a longitudinal plane, a V-shaped profile, the two branches of which constitute the rear (54) and front cam profiles (52) forming ramps.   6. Arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the length   of the window, delimited by the front (46) and rear (48) transverse edges, corresponds substantially to the length of the part of the locking finger (50) which is received in the window (44) when the locking lever (58 ) is in its position   angular blocking of the data carrier (12).   7. Arrangement according to claim 6, taken in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the front (46) and rear (48) transverse edges of the window are inclined so as to present, in longitudinal section, a   V-profile complementary to that of the locking finger (50).   8. Arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the housing   (24) comprises a controlled member (70) for locking the locking lever (58) in its angular locking position of the data carrier (12).   9. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the controlled locking member is an electromagnet (70) whose movable core constitutes a locking finger (72) which can be controlled projecting from B342 DOC   the outside of the electromagnet housing to extend opposite a part (74) of the locking lever (58) in order to prevent the rotation of the latter from its active position by   blocking towards its retracted position.   10. Arrangement according to claim 9 taken in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the axis of displacement of the movable core (72) of the electromagnet (70) is parallel to the axis (62) of pivoting of the lever blocking (58), and in that, in the locking position of the blocking lever, the movable core (72) extends opposite a   part (74) of the arm which carries the locking finger.   1l. Arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the housing   has a longitudinal slot (32) for guiding the data carrier (12) which is delimited by an upper guide plate (28) above which the locking lever (58) is arranged and which has a hole (66) for the passage of locking finger (50).   12. Arrangement according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that it equips a   motor vehicle, the anti-theft functions of which are partially or totally ensured by data processing, some of which, contained in the data carrier (12), are representative of an authorized user, or   group of authorized users of the vehicle.